Innovation in Circular Economy and Sustainable Development

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainability has become a central concern across various fields, from the design of products, systems, and services to urban planning. In the face of global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequality, there is an increasing recognition of the need for innovative approaches that align human needs with the principles of sustainability. In this context, innovation offers valuable opportunities to advance the Sustainable Development Goals while optimizing technical value and ensuring the fundamental pillars of the circular economy are achieved.

Innovation plays a crucial role in the transition to a circular economy, a model that seeks to maximize the value of resources, reduce waste, and promote sustainability. In a global scenario where natural resources are limited and the pressure to reduce environmental impacts is growing, innovation is key to developing creative solutions that redefine production and consumption. From redesigning products to creating new industrial processes, emerging technologies and innovative strategies enable companies to close the product life cycle, making materials reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable. This approach not only helps reduce dependence on virgin resources but also generates economic, social, and environmental benefits, fostering long-term value creation and improving competitiveness in an increasingly environmentally conscious market. This Special Issue explores the various implications of innovation for sustainability in areas such as product design, mobility, transport, and urban planning. Through research on the implications of innovation in the circular economy and sustainable development, the theoretical foundations, practical applications, and emerging trends of these concepts are examined to achieve economic, environmental, and social growth. Scientific articles are expected to analyze emerging trends in the principles, methods, tools, and technological solutions related to innovation in the design of sustainable, intelligent, and innovative products and systems. Through case studies, empirical research, and theoretical analysis, the aim is to clarify the benefits and limitations of innovation in promoting sustainable development and the circular economy. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:  

• Impact of innovation on the circular economy;
• Impact of innovation on the Sustainable Development Goals;
• Circular economy indicators in relation to eco-innovation in European regions;
• Circular economy innovation and environmental sustainability impact on economic growth;
• Circular economy and innovation oriented towards sustainability;
• Innovation in supply chain operations for a circular economy;
• Circular economy strategies for sustainable development: applications and impacts.

This Special Issue encompasses the following types of papers:   

• Research papers;
• Reports on case studies and projects;
• Sustainable ergo-design proposals;
• Literature reviews;
• Discussion and position papers that present retrospections on critical and strategic issues in the transdisciplinary ergo-design domain.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Vanesa Rodríguez-Cornejo
Dr. Paula Isabel Rodríguez Castro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• innovation
• sustainable development goals
• circular economy
• efficiency
• sustainability
• environmental dimension
• economic growth